NS brings back 170 furloughed employees

Of those hired back, 60 were hired back permanently to train services and 70 were transferred to temporary positions that are guaranteed until December 2013.

Of the 170 originally laid off, 42 are heading back to work permanently at their original place of work at the Roanoke, Va., locomotive facility. Thirty who were employed within the mechanical department were hired back as communication and signal workers. The other 12 positions hired back at the facility were newly created, said Chapman. Chapman credited the hire-backs to a surge in business and high traffic.

In February, NS ceased regional railcar classification operations at its Roanoke Terminal hump yard affecting about 140 positions. At the time, the railroad said it expected to hire up to 1,150 people in 2013 and the positions would be offered to furloughed employees first.